TU Center OK with students celebrating on court

Last Siena title in 2010 led to chaotic scene

There were problems in 2010 when Siena students stormed the court after a MAAC title victory at Times Union Center. (Luanne Ferris/Times Union)

There were problems in 2010 when Siena students stormed the court after a MAAC title victory at Times Union Center. (Luanne Ferris/Times Union)

TU Center OK with students celebrating on court

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Albany

Times Union Center general manager Bob Belber said arena security won't try to stop Siena students from celebrating on the court after Monday night's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title game, if the Saints defeat Iona for the championship.

The Saints' last title victory over Fairfield in 2010 led to a chaotic scene with hundreds of students bursting through security guards trying to hold them back. At the time, MAAC commissioner Rich Ensor said he wanted the students off the court to "protect the integrity of the game."

The incident led to Belber and Ensor criticizing each other.

But Ensor said Monday the MAAC is no longer involved in the security precautions.

"The arena has had its internal discussions but we're no longer part of that and we won't be,'' Ensor said. "The the last contract, we said, 'This is your responsibility.' They're professionals ... It's up to the arena, whatever they normally do to handle these kinds of things."

Belber said the plan calls for a what he called a "controlled release," in which security guards will politely ask the students to hold back until shortly after the game is over and the players and coaches can be guided to a location on the court where they can be protected. It's an approach Belber said he has always favored.

"We'll let you on the court once the game is done, at the right time, and appreciate your patience,'' Belber said. "I think that kind of communication with the kids to let them know, hey, we're not trying to block you, we're trying to control you so it doesn't get out of hand. It works better. Nobody gets hurt, they have their moment, then we clear the court and get the awards ceremony at the end of the championship game. I think that's the right way to do it. That's the way it's been done in just about every major market in the United States. It's far better than seeing security guards get hurt or students get hurt trying to jump over security guards, or gates, or whatever."

Belber said trying to keep the students off the court is an exercise in futility. However, it hasn't been much of an issue for the MAAC the past six years with the tournament being played from 2012 to 2014 in sparsely attended Springfield and with Siena not reaching the final the past two seasons at Times Union Center.

"You're not going to prevent it,'' Belber said. "You can't take 3,000 kids and hold them back with a hundred guards. You're just not going to do it."

Student seating is in the corner sections of the Times Union Center stands. Belber said they'll be asked to stay in those sections until the appropriate time when they'll be allowed on the court.

Belber said the same rules apply for Iona students should the Gaels win.